Friday, January 23, 2009

A definite symbol of a bygone era, the hat remains a vintage fashion necessity. Whether you are out for a stroll, window shopping, or visiting with good friends, it's always the perfect addition to top off your outfit. Hopefully, this collection of photos of lovely vintage hats will serve as inspiration...because every vintage woman-wannabe knows that it's the required accessory for every outfit.

Friday, January 16, 2009

L.M. Montgomery was one of my first favorite authors. The long row of her books that line the shelves of my overflowing bookcase are a testament to that fact. Each spine is well-creased and the pages of each novel are worn and mellowed from use. This excerpt from Rilla of Ingleside--the eighth from the beloved "Anne" series--has always been a favorite of mine.

* * * * *

For the first time in her life Rilla Blythe touched a baby--lifted it--rolled it in a blanket, trembling with nervousness lest she drop it or--or--break it. Then she put it in the soup tureen.

"Is there any fear of it smothering?" she asked anxiously.

"Not much odds if it do," said Mrs. Conover.

Horrified Rilla loosened the blanket round the baby's face a little. The mite had stopped crying and was blinking up at her. It had big dark eyes in its ugly little face.

"Better not let the wind blow on it," admonished Mrs. Conover. "Take its breath if it do."

And so it was that Rilla Blythe, who had driven to the Anderson house a self-confessed hater of babies, drove away from it carrying one in a soup tureen on her lap!

Rilla thought she would never get to Ingleside. In the soup tureen there was an uncanny silence. In one way she was thankful the baby did not cry but she wished it would give an occasional squeak to prove that it was alive. Suppose it were smothered! Rilla dared not unwrap it to see, lest the wind, which was now blowing a hurricane, should "take its breath," whatever dreadful thing that might be. She was a thankful girl when at last she reached harbour at Ingleside.

Rilla carried the soup tureen to the kitchen, and set it on the table under Susan's eyes. Susan looked into the tureen and for once in her life was so completely floored that she had not a word to say...

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

"Standing on soil feels so much different than standing on city pavement; it lets you look inward and reflect and see who you really are, while you see a beautiful, unspoiled land as far as the eye can see. It allows your inner life to grow."

Sunday, January 11, 2009

College classes begin again tomorrow. As much as I love going...I must admit, I'm nervous. I know it's silly of me. I know that I shouldn't allow myself to behave in this way, but a whole fleet of butterflies have taken up lodging in the near vicinity of my stomach, and no matter what I do or say...they simply won't behave! Ornery little beasts...

I'm not really nervous about the coursework. I have one semester under my belt so far, and I know that I can handle it. The truth is I absolutely hate walking into the classroom the very first day (okay...um, several weeks ☺) by myself. Not knowing anyone, not knowing if the instructors will be fair, or harsh, or simply loveable. It pushes me to step out of my happy little bubble, and I'm not quite thrilled about that. I'm used to being surrounded by my family; used to having Sarah or Mama nearby to step in for me if I can't quite manage to say what I mean because my everlasting shyness has once again crept up behind me and stolen every single thought out of my head when I wasn't looking. But, as nervous as I am, deep down I know that once I get back into the swing of things...I'll simply love that I'm back in school. I know I will.

Now I just need to learn to listen to myself. And somehow, find a remedy for a bad case of crazy butterfly stomach.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

What adds the finishing touch to that perfect vintage ensemble? Shoes, of course! Whether you're looking for a shoe that's glamorous, smart, elegant, or well-worn...we've got a sampling of them all here!